on November 13 |
in In Focus |
by Staff |
with Comments Off on Don Balfour suspended from office

Disgraced State Senator Don Balfour was suspended from office today. Sandra Parrish of WSB Radio caught up with him and he said he hoped he would be innocent until proven guilty. Pretty tough year for panels and removals from office. From DeKalb County to Snellville and other places. Will this be the last of the ethics scandals?

The Republican from Snellville is facing an indictment on several charges, including theft by taking, involving requests for per diem from the state on days when lobbyists’ reports show he was out of town.

#A review panel including leaders in the General Assembly unanimously approved his suspension Wednesday, which was carried out by Gov. Nathan Deal.

#Just minutes before, the Senate Committee on Assignments removed him as the chairman of the Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee, as vice-chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee, and as an ex-officio member of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee.

#The president of the Senate also removed Senator Balfour from the Senate State Fair Tax Study Committee.

#Before the General Assembly session earlier this year, Balfour was removed as chairman of the Rules Committee, a very powerful position. While he was given the redistricting title, the committee has a very minimal role after new district lines are drawn after a Census count.

#Earlier this, year the Senate Ethics Committee held hearings on the same infractions, and Balfour was fined. He also has repaid the money in question, calling the move a paperwork error.